Press



LSUQHM M. H. BALLARD PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 16. 192] M 8. 1924. 150mm M. H. BALLARD PRESS Original Filed May 16, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lPatente-d duly 8, i924 MILTON H. BALLARD, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIT SHOE HA- CHIHERY CORPORATIQN, F PATERSON, NEW 3' 5.1:

PRESS.

Application filed may 18, 1921, Serial No. 470,087. Renewed November 10, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILTON H. BALLARU,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex'and State of 5 Massachusetts, have invented certain lmprovements in Presses, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicatinglike parts in the several figures. A

This inventionrelates to presses and more particularly to presses of the type employed for cutting sheet material by the use of freely movable dies.

For purposes of illustration, the invention is shown embodied in a machine known commercially as the twin clicking machine which comprises characteristically two presser members mounted one at each end of a work supporting bed and, arranged to extend toward each other and to swing laterally over the bed in such manner that the two presser members can be used selectively in cutting sheet material wherever located on the bed, the latter being of a size to .ac-

commodate sheet material of large dimensions, such asfabrics of the greatest widths and also other large pieces of sheet material such as hides. lln operating with such a machine the operator must stand at one side of the bed and move. the presser members V toward and away from the nt of the bed.

For moving the presser members a-handle is commonly provided extending along the nearer side of each presser member. Be-

cause of the angular relationship of each presser member when it is displaced rearwardly awa from the front of the bed considerable ef'fbrt is required in moving it forwardly since the lateral component of the force applied passes through the support for the presser member.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved mechanism for moving a presser member or members laterally over a work supporting bed. F or reasons already stated the illustrative mechanism is especially advantageous in the type of machine shown in the drawings but it will be underapplications and uses.

The invention comprises also an improved starting mechanism applicable to such a machine, the larger portion of which, as shown,

improved locking means is provided stoodthat such mechanism may have other is located within the presser arm, there belng presented on the side of the presser arm near the operator a handle extending longitudinally of the presser arm by which the latter may be moved over the bed, which handle is also operable to control the power means for reciprocating the presser member toward and from the work supporting bed.

member in motion until it reaches the desired location.

F or reasons which relate to eficiency and economy of operation, the electric motor now commonly provided as the driving means in machines of thistype is selected with reference tothe' load under normal conditions. If, therefore, the starting lever be accidentally or inadvertently tripped when the motor is not in motion such a load would be provided for the motor as to cause the latter to become stalled instantaneously with the closing of the motor circuit. Should such an accident occur there is a possibility of damage to the motor and a certainty of loss of time to the operator. Accordingly, an

or preventing the tripping of the starting lever when the motor is not in motion. In the illustrative" construction the said locking means is so arranged as to control the starting levers of both presser members. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a single motor is so connected as to operate selectively both of the presser members. There is an important advantage in this arrangement since the motor is connected with the driving pulleys or other momentum members of both machines and is, therefore, helped over the peak of its load by both momentum members although only one of the machines is in operation at any given time,

Other important features of the invention including combinations of parts and details of construction will be described in the A COOTION @F and specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a View in front elevation artly in section of a twin clicking machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail View showing the mounting for the electric motor;

Fig. 3 is a sid view partly in section illustrating the construction of the manually operable portion of the starting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the starting mechanism independent of its mount- Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of the means for swinging the beam or presser arm laterally over the bed;

Fig. 6 is a section through the upper portion of the post and showing portions of the illustrative retriever mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 77 of Fi 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view from above of the starting mechanism showing also the mountingztherefor in the presser arm;

ig. 9 is a detail view of the electrically controlled lock for the starting lever; and

Fig. 10 is a similar view of a mechanically controlled lock for the same purpose.

In the illustrative machine the work is supported upon a cutting block 12 held securely in position on a supporting bed 14 which is vertically adjustable in the oppositely facing frame members 16. As shown, the means for adjusting the supporting bed comprises screw-threaded members 18 rotatably mounted in brackets 20 integral with or fixedly secured to the frame member 16. Each screw-threaded member 18 is provided with a gear wheel 22' with each of which there is in mesh a worm 24 fixedly mounted on the shaft 26 which is arranged to be turned by hand through manipulation of the hand wheel -'28. ,In order that the supporting bed 14 may be maintained in adjusted position during pressure applying operations of the machine and to relieve the screw-threaded members 18 of a portion of the weight of the bed, provision is made for clamping the bed in adjusted position. As shown, the bed is mounted between flange portions 30 which extend laterally from the frame members 16 and which are sufiiciently yielding to be drawn into firm contact with end portions of the supporting bed 14 by tightening up the nut 32 on the end of the bolt 34 which extends across the front of the machine from one flange 30 to the other. It will be understood that. the bolt or bar 34 is secured against rotation in the flanges 30 in any well-known manner which will at the same time provide for longitudinal adjustmentof the bar. As shown, the bar 34 is splined or keyed to a collar 36 which is pinned to the adjacent flange 30, the arrangement being such that the bar may be adjusted axially while fixed against rotation. At its other end the bar 34 is provided with a screw-threaded portion for the nut 32' to which is attached a handle 38, the adjustment of the parts being such that a relatively slight movement of the handle 38 releases the pressure on the flanges 30 and a return of the handle to the position shown in Fig. 1 tightens up on the nut and clamps the flanges against the ends of the supporting bed.

The frame members16 besides being attached to each other by the supporting bed 14 are connected by tie-rods, one of which is shown at 40 as extending between the upper ends of the frame members. Two other tierods 42 are positioned near the bottoms of theframes and furnish support also for a bracket 44 on which is mounted the electric motor 46, the arrangement being particularly advantageous in that it provides easily adjustable means for positioning the motor in proper alignmenttransversely of the machine with respect to the power pulleys 48 and 50 around which belt 52 passes from the motor shaft and from the belt tightener pulley 54. It will be understood that the pulleys 48 and 50 are mounted for rotation of power shafts 51 and are arranged to be clutched to the shafts at the will of the operator, through means that will be hereinafter described, in order to cause reciprocation of the presser members 56 toward and from the cutting block 12. It will be noted that the single motor 46 is belted to both of i the pulleys 48 and 50, so that in the opera-' tion of the pressing machines both pulleys 48 and 50 serve as momentum members to help the motor over the peak of the load when either of the machines ,is operated through manipulation of a manually controllable starting means which will hereinafter be described.

For controlling the clutch of the main shaft to cause a pressure applying operation of the selected presser member '56, each presser member is provided with a manually controllable lever 58 which moves with the presser member and can be utilized as a handle for moving the presser member laterally over the bed. Hence the handle portion 60 of the lever serves two purposes, that of a tripping means for the starting mechanism and as a handle for moving the presser member into and out of operative position with respect to a die on the cutting block. Since the starting mechanism is the same for each side of the machine, that is for each presser arm or member 56, the description of the starting mechanism shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 8, applies to both the starting mechanisms. It will be understood'that the hanis a pin 7 6 (Fig. 4) having a rounded end receivable in acup 80 at the extremity of the lever arm 68, a spring 82 being provided to yieldingly maintain the pin seated in the cup. It will be clear that depression of the handle 60 will cause axial rotation of the rod 64, thus lifting the cupped extremity of the arm 68 and hence the lever 72 will be lifted, turning about its pivot 74. When the extremity 8 1 of the lever 72 is lifted, its

motion is transmitted to the lever arm 86, thus rotating the shaft 88 to lift the clutch rod 90 which is attached to the outer end of arm 92 carried by the said shaft 88. It will be observed that portions of.the two lever arms 72 and 86 are alined substantially in the same vertical plane and that depression of the handle 60 moves the lever arms upwardly at an angle to each other in said plane. The connections between the lever 70 and the lever arm 86 are necessarily somewhat complicated by reason of the fact that the lever 72 is mounted in the presser arm 56 which swings laterally over the bed while the lever arm 86 is mounted on the pivot 88 carried by the frame 16. In the illustrative construction, the lever arm 86 is provided with a semi-circular portion 94 having a groove or slot 96 in which is positioned a block 98 for movement along the slot, the said block being connected to the adjacent end 8% of the lever 72 by means of a short rod 100 having a ball and socket connection with the block as indicated in both Figures 3 and a. lit will be understood that as the presser member 56 is moved laterally about the pivot provided by its supporting post 102 the block 98 travels along the slot 96 and thus maintains the connection between the.

lever 72 and the lever arm 86, the construction being such that the connection between the two levers is at a single point and thus there is no binding or, twisting action between the levers no matter what the angular relationship between them may be due to the position of the presser member. This isan important feature of the construction inasmuch as in certain prior constructions the connection between that part of the starting lever which moves with the presser arm and the part which does not so move is such as to cause a binding and often times a twisting action, making the tripping of the clutch more dificult and uncertain.

While the presser member 56 may be moved by the hand grasping handle 60, an improved mechanism is preferably provided for moving each presser member laterally over the cutting block or work supporting bed 12, the said mechanism, in the illustrative construction, comprising a rack bar 110 (Fig. 5) having teeth 111 which are in mesh with teeth 112 provided on a portion of the periphery of the post 102, the teeth on the post being relatively long in a vertical direction so as to maintain connection with the teeth on the rack bar during movement of the post vertically. As shown, the rack bar 110 is mounted for sliding movement in the frame 16 of the machine, means being provided to operate the rack bar in only one direction for reasons which will be hereinafter explained. Preferably, the operating means comprises a bar 114 which carries a pawl 116 pivoted'thereto'and actuated by a spring 118 so as to have the operative end of the pawl pressed constantly against the adjacent side of the rack bar 110 so that when the end'of the pawl comes opposite the notch 120, it will drop into said notch and engage the shoulder122. For operating the bar 114 there is connected thereto a cable 124 fastened to the bar by a clamping plate 126 indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 5, the cable passing over rollers 128 mounted in the frame 16 and being attached at one end to a spring 130 (Fig. 1) and -at its other end to a treadle lever 132 pivoted upon one of the tie rod 42 at the base of the machine and having a tread portion 134 upon which the operator may step to move the presser member in one direction. When the operator steps on the tread 134: the operating bar 114 is moved forwardly and the operating bar .sooner or later moves the rack bar 110 with it, thus swinging the presser arm 56 toward the front of the bed or cutting block. This moving means for the presser arm is especially advantageous in a machine of the construction shown because of the fact that the operator is standing at one side of the bed and the presser arm is moved away from him at an angle to uncover the bed at the end of a pressure applying operation. It will be readily unders ood thatewith the presser member displaced rearwardly from the front of the machine .the handle 60 may occupy a position which is at a considerable angle to the line representing the front edge of the cutting bed. In such a position, the handle is not only in an awkward position to grasp but, in pulling upon the handle to move the presser member, part of the force is absorbed in a thrust against the pivot of the presser member. For both'of these reasons the mechanism provided for moving the presser member toward the front of the bed is especially advantageous. however, as the presser member approaches the front of the bed the handle 60 will be grasped to control the movements of the presser member including the reciprocatory A soon, a

movement which results in a pressure applying operation. In order that the presser member may not be moved forcibly beyond the front edge of the block 12, with the possibility of injury to the operator, the means for moving the presser member is disconnected therefrom at apredetermined point in the forward movement of said member. As shown, a cam surface 136 is provided on the frame 16 in the path of the projecting end of the pawl 116 to cause disconnection of the actuating bar 114 from the rack bar 110. It will be observed that movement of the operating slide 114 to the rear does not carry the rack bar 110 with it, since the pawl 116 is operative only on forward movement of the operating slide 114, the purpose of thi arrangement being to permit the operator to remove his foot from they treadle without uch action being followed by a reverse movement of the presser arm before or during a pressure applying operation.

Power means is preferably provided for moving the presser arm away from the front of the work supporting bed so that the work may be properly inspected and the die repositioned thereon for a subsequent operation. It is desirable, however, that the said means should act rather to overcome the inertia of the presser member than to move it to any definite position. This gives the operator better control of the; presser memher as it is easily continued in movement after it has been once started from a position of rest. Since the operator controls all movements of the presser member through the handle 60, that is'the movements laterally over the bed and the reciprocations toward and from the bed, the mechanisms which operate to move the presser member laterally should not obstruct movement of the presser member by hand. The means for moving the presser member away from the front of the bed comprises, in the illustrative construction, what may be termed a spring retriever mechanism. As shown, the upper end of the post 102 has fixedly secured thereto a clutch member 140 (Fig. 6) comprising a sleeve member keyed to the post as at 142 and having a downwardly facing clutch member 144. Mounted on the frame 16 of the machine is a sleeve 146 which surrounds the post 102 and is spaced slightly therefrom so as not to engage even frictionally thereon. Mounted slidably upon the sleeve 146 is a second clutch member 148 normally held in upward position against the flange 150 of the sleeve 146 by means of springs 152 (Fig. 1) engaging the clutch member 148 at diametrically opposite points and being adjustably supported in cups 154 on opposite sides of the upper end of the frame 16. As will be observed from an inspection of Figure 6, the clutch member 148 has a cone-shaped portion arranged inside of the clutch portion 144 and normally spaced from the latter. one side of the clutch member 148 is an-arm 156 which is normally held in contact with an abutment 158 on the frame 16 by a spring mechanism which, in the illustrative construction, comprises a lever member 160 fulcrumed loosely in a cup at 162 in the machine frame. Between the end of the lever 160 and the arm 156 is a pin 164 having rounded ends receivable in cups 166 and 168 in the arm 156 and in the lever 160 respectively. Intermediate of the ends of the lever 160 is a perforation throughwhich passes a bolt 170 having one end seated in a T-slot 172 in a projection 174 on the frame 16. The other end of the bolt projects a considerable distance from the lever 160 and surrounding this portion of the bolt is a spring 176 contacting with the adjacent face of the lever at one end and with a nut on the bolt at the other end of the spring, the spring being adjustably tensioned to Extending from hold the link 164 firmly against the arm or 0 extension 156 and the latter yieldingly against the abutment 158. If the presser arm 56 and its supporting post 102 be moved directly in a downward direction the only result so far as the spring retriever mechanism isconcerned is to move therouter end of the link 164 downwardly along with the arm 156 and the clutch member 148, the downward movement of the clutch member 148 being resisted by the springs 152 as above described. If, however, the post and presser member are being swung laterally at the time of movement of the presser arm toward the work supporting bed, then the clutch 144 which is rotating with the post, engages and rotates the clutch member 148 thereby swinging the arm extension 156 away from the abutment 158 and placing the spring 176 under tension. Then, as the presser arm 56 rises, the spring operates to return the extension 156 into contact with the abutment 158 and as this occurs simultaneously with the rising of the post and presser arm, the latter is moved laterally over the work supporting bed away from the front of the machine. It will be clear that the more rapidly the presser member is moved toward the front of the machine in moving it to selected operative position and the more rapidly it is moving at the time of tripping the clutch to cause reciprocation of the presser member, the greater will be the tension placed upon the spring 176 and hence the greater will be retrieving action of the spring retriever mechanism just described. In passing, it may be noted that the post 102 which supports the presser arm 56 is reciprocated by means of a vertical shaft 184 operatively connected at its lower end, by a link 185 and eccentric strap 187, to the transverse shaft 51 driven from one of the pulleys 48 and 50. At its upper end the shaft 184 is connected to the post 102 so that the latter may rotate, the connection comprising plates 186, 188, containing a raceway for ball'bearings indicated at 189. Means is preferably provided for controlling the starting mechanism of the machine so that neither starting lever associated with the presser members can be operated unless the motor is running. In other words, when the'motor is not running, the said means makes it impossible forthe operator or any other individual to depress either of the handles on the presser members. The rea son for this arrangement will be clear when it is understood that the electric motor furnished with machines of this type is selected from the standpoint of efiiciency and economy and thus provides suflicient power to operate either of the resser members under I normal working con itions. Hence, if the motor is started in operation thus driving the large power pulleys 48 of the twin clicking machines, sufficient power is provided in the motor and in the momentum of the relatively heavy power pulleys to actuate the presser member and cause it to force a die completely through the work. If, on the other hand, one of the starting levers 60 be depressed to actuate the clutch whereby the presser member and its shaft are connected to the power pulley 48 of one of the machines while the motor is at rest then too large a load is thrown upon the motor at the beginning of its operation and the result is that it possesses insufficient power to cause a proper operation of the machine. In fact, the motor may be stalled by the abnormal load and under such circumstances it would probably burn out in a relatively short time. In any case, the current must be turned off and the power pulley must be turned over by hand in order to return the clutch parts to such position that -the power pulley 48 is free to rotate on the shaft, operations which involve considerable loss of time and eflort on the part of the operator. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the locking means for the starting mechanism of one of the clicking machines comprises a link 190 having a shoulder or abutment 192 which, when the machine is at rest, is'in a position to engage over the upperend of the rod 90 and prevent upward movement of said rod. It will be recalled that in the description of the starting mechanism it was pointed out that, upon depression of the handle 60, the shaft 88 is rocked to lift the rod 90 and thus actuate the clutch to initiate a pressure applying operation. However, with the link 190 in operative position, the handle 60 of the starting mechanism cannot be depressed to start the machine. Referring to Fig. 10 of the drawings, it will be seen that the link 190 is pivoted at 194 on the frame of the machine and has its lower end connected by a link 196 with the hand lever 198 of a switch mechanism 200 of a well known commercial type. Upon moving the upper end of the hand lever 198 to the right in Fig. 10 the current in the motor circuit is switched on and, at the same time through the link connection 196, the link 190 is moved to withdraw the shoulder 192 from I position above the rod 90. It will be understood that the starting mechanism is thus unlocked at the same time that the motor circuit is closed and hence the clicking machine maybe operated. In order that both starting mechanisms of the twin clicking machines may be released and locked through manipulation of a single member the upper end of link 190 is connected by a. rod 202 to the upper end of a link 204 (Fig. 1) pivoted at 206 in the frame 16 of the other or opposed clicking machine. This link 204 is similar to the link 190 excepting that it is in reverse position with respect to the last mentioned link,and is actuated from'its upper end instead of from its lower end. It has a shoulder 208 which is adapted to engage over the upper end of the clutch rod 90 at the same time that the other link 1'90 engages over the upper end of the corresponding rod 90. It will be understood, therefore, that upon movement of the lever 198 (Fig. 10) to the right in said figure that both of the links 190 and 204 will be moved to unlock ing position simultaneously with the closing of the motor circuit. Furthermore when the lever 198 is moved to the left into the posi- 1 tion shown in Fig. 10 both locking links are moved into operative or locking position and the switch mechanism 200 is actuated to open the motor circuit.

In place of the mechanical means above described for actuating the locking links, electrically controlled means may prove to have advantages under certain circumstances and more especially since the switch for controlling both the motor and the electric magnet for the locking means may be located at any convenient station. Referring to Fig. 9

of the drawings, it will be seen that the illustrative construction comprises a solenoid 212 mounted in a casing upon the frame 16 of one of the clicking machines and in such position that the core 214 may be connected to the lower end of the link 190 so that upon passage of the current through the solenoid the core will be drawn into the coil, thus moving the shoulder 192 to one side to free the upper end of the clutch rod 90. It will be understood that the link 190 of Fig. 9 15 connected to a somewhat similar link 204 on the opposite clicking machine through the rod 202, as set forth in the foregoing description. As shown, the current for the solenoid is provided by wires 220, 222 which come from line wires 224, 226 and which are also connected to furnish power for the motor 46 disconnecting the motor from'its source of electrical power the solenoid 212 is deenergized, thus releasing the link 190 to the operation of a spring 191 which returns both looking links simultaneously to operative or looking position with respect to the clutch rods 90.

In clicking machines of the type under consideration the work supporting bed is of a size to support sheets of material of considerable size and especially sheets of material of all dimensions ordinarily presented for cutting orpressing operations. The presser member which is arranged to co-operate with the cutting bed is ordinarily of a size to present a very considerably less pressing area than the work support-ing bed, since if it were made of a size corresponding to the bed it would prove too large and unwieldy for efficient operation. Hence the presser member is mounted for movement laterally over the bed as well as toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations. In the illustrative construction the presser member 56 is so shaped that the minimum amount of lateral movement is required in order to bring a presser surface over the front part of the work supporting bed, where most of the pressing or cutting operations are performed. Referring to the contour of the presser member as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, it will be seen that the presser member 56 is provided with a projecting portion at 240 which is strengthened by the ordinary projecting ribs and which is arranged to cover the front part of the bed near one end thereof when the presser member is in extreme forward position and that the same projecting portion is located above the end portion of the cutting bed in the various successive positions the presser member occupies as it is swung laterally over the bed. Preferably, and as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the posts for the presser members are set back of the longitudinal center line of the block 12 so as to afford an advantageous arrangement for the access of light to the block and more room for the manipulation of the stock and of the die in positioning the latter as a preliminary to cutting operations. Moreover, as a result of the arrangement described, there is more room for the forearms of the operator, thus making it more convenient than in prior constructions to use the hatchet in chopping the remnants or scrap pieces remaining after a series of cutting operations. The relatively rearward position of the posts with respect to the adjacent ends of the cutting block results in providing spaces in the angle between the post and the adjacent end of the block which may be conveniently utilized for a shelf like that indicated at 244 in Fig. 8 on which the hatchet or other tool used by the operator may be placed within convenient reach. If desired, a similar space at the other end of the block may contain a holder for a sack or other receptacle in which the remnants may be placed simply by sweeping them from the surface of the cutting block. It should be noted, also, that the tie rod 40 which connects the upper ends of the frames 16 is located on the back side of the frames as will be evident from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 7. By this arrangement, the tie rod forms no obstruction and leaves the space above the bed or cutting block open so that the operator may even bend over the bed without coming into contact with the tie rod. An important detail of the construction shown relates to the design of the presser member 56 which is of the peculiar shape shown in order to have it as light as possible and still cover the various sections of the cutting bed with the least amount of swinging movement.

In operating with the machine constructed as illustrated in the drawings, one or several pieces of work will be placed upon the work supporting bed 12 while the presser members are displaced laterally to facilitate the introduction of the work. Subsequently a die or plurality of dies will be properly located on'the work for cutting operations and then'one of the presser members moved forwardly toward the front of the bed by stepping on the corresponding treadle 132. As the premer member approaches the front of the bed, the handle 60 is seized in order the better to control the presser member and to trip the machine at the proper time for a pressure applying operation on the die. Conveniently, the treadle 132 will be released at the time the handle 60 is seized, thus permittitng the mechanism for moving the presser member forwardly to re-posi tion itself for a subsequent operation. If the presser member has been drawn forwardly with considerable speed the retrieving mechanism has been conditioned to operate as the presser member rises and hence the presser member will be moved rearwardly immediately following a pressure applying operation, thus assisting the operator by overcoming the inertia of the presser member, to move the presser member to a position at the rear of the bed, thereby uncovering the work and particularly the die so that the latter may be re positioned for a succeeding operation.

Having thus described the invention,

what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States 1. In a starting -mechanism, a clutch, a lever having connections to the clutch, a second lever movable relatively to the first mentioned lever angularly in the plane defined by alined portions of said levers while the first lever remains stationary, and a manually operable lever having an arm movable in a plane at right anglesto the first mentioned plane for operating the clutch lever.

2. In a machine ofvthe class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and -also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, "a post for supporting the presser member, starting mechanism for the machine comprising a clutch, a lever having connections to operate theclutch and a portion arranged to embrace the post, a second lever mounted on the presser member and having a portion which maintains connection with the first mentioned lever during lateral movement of 'the presser member over the bed, and a manually operable lever extending longitudinally of the presser member and varranged to be rocked to cause operation of the first mentioned levers whereby the machine is started in operation.

3. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, apresser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, starting mechanism for the machine comprising a clutch, a lever having connections to operate the clutch and a portion arranged to embrace the'post, a second lever I mounted on the presser member and having a sliding-and universal joint connection with the first mentioned lever, and a manually operable lever mounted on the presser member and operatively connected to the second mentioned lever for initiating operations of the machine.

4. In a starting mechanism, awzlutch, a lever having connections with the clutch for controlling the same, a second lever having a sliding and universal joint connection with the first mentioned lever, pivots for said levers, the construction being suchthat the levers and pivots are arranged substantially in one plane, and a manually operable lever arranged in a. plane substantially parallel to the first mentioned plane and having a connection for'operating the first mentioned levers so that the clutch maybe controlled from the manually operable lever.

5. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed. a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, a sleeve surrounding the post and fixed to the frame, a clutch member mounted on the sleeve, a co-operating clutch member carried by the post, and means for yieldingly retaining the first mentioned clutch member in operative position. a

6. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, a sleeve surrounding the post, a clutch member mounted on the sleeve and having an extension, an abutment on' the frame, means for yieldingly holding the extension against said abutment, and a clutch member fixed to the post and arranged to engage the first mentioned clutch member during each pressure applying operation.

7. In a machine of the class described, a

work supporting bed, a presser member. movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a post for supporting the presser member, a sleeve surrounding the post, a clutch member mounted on the sleeve and having an extension, spring means for yieldingly backing the clutch member, an abut- I ment on the frame of the machine, spring means for holding the extension in contact with the abutment, and a clutch member fixed to the post and operative toengage the first mentioned clutch member during a pressure applying operation to place the last mentioned spring means under tension substantially as shown and described.

8. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying 'operations, a post for supporting the presser 195 member. a clutch'member mounted on the frame of the machine, a co-operating clutch member carried by the post. and aneans for returningthe first mentioned clutch member to its original position after displacement 1 thereof.

9. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying op-i erations, a post for supporting the presser member, a clutch member mounted on the frame of the machine and having an extension, an abutment on the frame of the machine with which the extension is normally in contact, a clutch member fixed to the post and arranged'to engage the first mentioned clutch -member during each pressure applying operation, and means for returning the first-mentioned clutch member'to its normal position with the extension in contact with the abutment after displacement during any pressure applying operation.

10. In a machine of the class described, two members movable toward and from each other and also laterally of each other into and out of various selected positions, a clutch element fixed with relation to one of said members, a clutch element movably mounted with respect to the other member and arranged to engage the first-mentioned clutch element during each movement of the said members toward each other, and means for moving the last mentioned clutch element whereby said members are moved laterally relatively to each other.

11. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, manually operable mechanism for moving the presser member laterally over the bed, and means for disconnecting the mechanism at a predetermined point in the lateral movement of the presser member.

12. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, and manually operable means for moving the pressermember over the bed constructed to move the presser member in one direction only.

13. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed,'a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, manually controllable means con structed for moving the presser member over the bed in one direction only, and spring means automatically operative for moving the presser member in the opposite direction over the bed.

14. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a segmental rack operatively connected to the presser member, a rack bar arranged in mesh with the segmental rack, and movable means arranged to connect with the rack bar upon movement in one direction to operate the rack bar and thus cause movement of the presser member.

15. In a machine of the character described, a work'supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a segmental rack operatively connected to the presser member, a rack bar arranged in mesh with the segmental rack, and a bar carrying a latch for engagement with the rack bar to move the same in one direction whereby the presser member is moved laterally over the bed, said latch being disconnectable from the rack bar upon movement of the latch carrying bar in the opposite direction.

16. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a segmental rack operatively connected to the presser member, a rack bar arranged in mesh With the segmental rack, and a treadle-operated bar provided with a latch for engagement with the rack bar to move the latter in one direction whereby the presser member is carried laterally over the bed, said treadle-operated bar being disconnectable from the rack bar upon movement in the opposite direction so that the presser member can be moved in only one direction through operation of the rack bar.

17. In a machine of the character de scribed, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward andfrom the bed in pressure applying operations, a segmental rack operatively connected to the presser member, a rack bar arranged in mesh with the segmental rack, a bar provided with a latch for connecting with the rack bar, a treadle, a cable connection between the treadle and latch bar, and a spring connected to the other end of the cable, the construction 3110 arrangement being such that the rack bar is moved upon depressing the treadle to swing the presser member over the bed and the latch bar is returned to operative position by said spring.

18. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, and mechanism operable directly by force exerted by the operator for moving the presser member laterally over the bed.

19. In a machine of the class described, a Work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a treadle, and connections between the treadle and presser member for moving the presser member over the bed through force exerted on the treadle by the operator." i

20. In a machine'of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, manually operable means I constructed for moving the presser member over the bed 1n one direction only, and

spring means for moving the presser mem-' beer in the opposite direction overithe bed.

21. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a segmental rac'k operatively connected to the presser member, a rack bar arranged in mesh with the segmental rack, and a manually operable member having a connection with the rack bar upon movement in one direction only toop erate the rack bar and thus cause movement of the presser member, said means being disconnectable from the rack bar upon movement in the opposite direction.

22. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a segmental rack operatively connected to the presser member, a rack bar arranged in mesh with the segmental rack, a bar carrying a latch for engagement with the rack bar to move the same in one direction whereby the presser member is moved laterally over the bed, and means for disconnecting the latch bar from the rack bar at a predetermined point in the movement of the presser member.

23. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, a segmental rack' operatively connected to the presser member, a rack bar arranged in mesh with the segmental rack, and a treadle-operated bar provided with a latch for engagement with the rack bar to move the latter in one direction whereby the presser member is carried laterally over the bed, said treadle-operated bar being disconnectable from the rack bar at a predetermined point in its forward movement and also upon movement in the opposite direction so that the presser member can be actuated to a predetermined point in only fine direction through operation of the rack 24:. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, presser members movable laterally over the bed, power means comprising a motor for moving the presser members, a starting lever associated with each presser member for initiating movement of the presser member, and means for locking both starting levers against movement until the motor has been started.

25. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, presser members movable laterally over the bed, power means comprising a motor for moving the presser members, a starting lever associated with each presser member for initiating move-- ment of the presser member, a locking member associated with each starting lever for preventing operative movement thereof, a connecting member extending between said locking levers for causing the latter to move together, and a single means for moving both of the locking members to inoperative position so that either starting lever may be actuated at the will of the operator.

26. In a machine of the class described,

a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressureapplying operations, power means comprising a motor for moving the presser member, a switch for controlling the motor, a starting lever for initiating operative movement of the presser member, a locking member for preventing movement of the starting lever, and a manually operable member for closing the switch and for withdrawing the locking member.

27. In a machine of the class described,

a work supporting bed, a presser member movable'with respect to the bed, power means comprising a motor for moving the presser member, a starting lever for controlling the connection of the power means with the presser member, a latch for looking the starting lever against movement, a switch for controlling the motor, and a manually operable member directly connected tothe latch to move the same to inoperative position and at the same time to close the switch thus starting the motor in operation.

28. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, presser members movable laterally over the bed, power means comprising a motor for moving the presser members, a starting lever associated with each presser member for initiating movement of the presser member, and manually operable members for locking both starting levers against movement until the motor has been started.

29. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, presser members movable laterally over the bed, power means comprising a motor for moving the presser members, a starting lever associated with each presser member for initiating movement of the presser member, 'a locking member associated with each starting lever for preventing operative movement thereof, a connecting member extending between said locking leversfor causing the latter to move together, and a manually operable member for moving both of'the locking members to inoperative position and simultaneously therewith starting the motor in operation.

30. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means comprising an electric motor for moving the presser member, a switch comprising a manually operable member for controlling the motor, a starting lever for initiating opera tive movement of the presser member, a locking member for preventing movement of the starting lever, and connections between the manually operable member and the locking member for withdrawing the locking member at the same time the switch is closed to energize the motor.

31. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable with respect to the bed, power means comprising a motor for moving the presser member, a starting lever for con trolling the connection of the power means with the presser member, a latch for locking the starting lever against movement, a switch for controlling the motor, and a manually operable member directly connected to the latch to move the same to operative position and at, the same time. tn Open th switch thus stopping the operation of the motor and locking the starting lever against operation.

32. In a starting mechanism, a clutch, a lever having connections to the clutch and provided with a slotted curved portion, and a second lever having a portion slidable in the slot of the curved portion, said portions of the levers being so dimensioned that the connection thus established is at a point shiftable along the curved slotted portion of one of the levers.

33. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed, and a manually operable mechanism constructed for moving the presser member over the bed in one direction only.

34;. In a machine of the class described, a

work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed, and a manually operable mechanism for applying force exerted by the operator to the presser member to overcome its inertia and move it toward operative position where it may be seized and controlled directly by the hand of the operator.

35. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, presser members located one at each end of the bed and extending toward each other so that they may be used selectively in operating upon work Wherever located on the bed, and supporting posts for the presser members located rearwardly of the longitudinal center line of the work supporting bed whereby considerable space is provided at the front of the bed for the access of light and for convenient manipulation of the work.

36. In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also to- Ward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, manually operable means construoted to move the presser member over the bed in one direction only, and a member for determining the extent of maximum movement of the presser member by said manually operable means.

37 In a machine of the class described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, mechanism operable directly by force I work-supporting bed, a presser member mov able laterally over the bed into operative relation to work on the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressureapplying operations, manually controlled mechanism for moving the presser member laterally over the bed into operative position, and means for disconnecting said mechanism at a predetermined point in the movement of the presser member toward operative position.

40.,In a twin clicking machine, a worksupporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed into operative relation to work on the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressnre-applying operations, manually controlled mechanism for moving the presser member toward the front of the bed and into operative position, and means for disconnecting said mechanism at a predetermined point in the movement of ighg presser member toward the front of the 41. In a machine of the character described, a clutch, a lever having connections to the clutch, a second lever movable relatively to the first mentioned lever angularly in the plane defined by alined portions of said levers while the first lever remains stationary, a sliding and universal joint connection between said levers, and a manually operable member having an operating connection with respect to the second lever to move the same and thus operate the clutch lever.

l2. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, starting mechanism for the machine comprising a clutch, a lever having connections to operate the clutch, a second lever mounted in the presser member and having a sliding and universal joint connection with the clutch lever, and a manually operable member mounted on the presser member and operatively connected to the second mentioned lever for causing operation of the clutch lever.

43. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure lid appl ing operations, a manually operable inem er, and connections between the manually operable member and the presser memher and operable through leverage for moving the presser member over the bed through force exerted on the manually operable member by the operator.

44. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting table, two clickingmachines arranged to operate selectivelv on work supported on the table and eac comprising a shaft having a ulley thereon, a motor located in line wit two pulleys and a belt passing around the pulleys and arranged to be drlven by the motor whereby both pulleys serve simultaneously as fly wheels for each clicking machine.

45. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a plurality of mechanism for .operatmg selectively on work supported on the bed,each mechanism comprising a shaft having a pulley thereon, a motor located between the power pulleys and in alinement therewith, and a belt arranged to connect the motor with both power pulle s whereby both pulleys serve as fly whee s for each operating mechanism upon 7 selective driving members and in alinement thereoperation of the operating mechanisms. v

46. In a machine .of e the character described, a work supporting table, a clicking machine at each end of the table comprising a shaft having a driving member thereon, a motor located in line with the two driving members, and means arranged to connect the driving members with the motor hereb a single motor may be utilized to dri e sit or machine. V v

47. In a machine of sthe character de scribed, a work supporting bed, means at each end of the bed for operating selectively on work supported on the bed, said means comprising a shaft having a driving member thereon, a motor located between the with, and means arranged to, connect the motor with both driving members whereby both driving members serve simultaneously as momentum members for each operating means. A v In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. 

